Telephone unit



Aug. 19, 1941.

E. BENISEK ETAL TELEPHONE UNIT Filed Feb. 26, 1940 5 SheeS-Sheet 1 o L@ w22 INVENTOR ldular-:Jeniek h BY Ems en e usc ATTO R N EYS Aug. 19, 1941. E. BENISEK m1 2,252,751

TELEPHONE UNIT Filed Feb. 26, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1NvENToR- 'N l Edward Benzek A'TTORNEYS.

Aug. 19, 1941. y E. BENlsEK ETAL 2,252,751

` TELEPHONE UNIT Filed Feb. 26, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 O) INVENTOR w Q 15 Edward Benisek 2) (D BYHans Sengebusch ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 19, 1941 TELEPHONE UNIT Edward Benisek, Geneva, and Hans Sengebusch, i Villa Park, Ill., assixnors to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application February 26, 1940, Serial No. 320,790

13 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to telephone units and more particularly to por-table telephone units ot the local battery type.

A conventional portable telephone unit of the local battery type utilized by linemen and others for test and general communication purposes 1s ordinarily relatively large and heavy, rendering transportation of the unit quite burdensome.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved portable telephone unit of the character noted which-is of extremely simple and rugged construction and which is o lightweight and relatively small size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a telephone unit comprising an improved supporting chassis for the station equipment of the unit, which chassis is constructed and arranged to provide a cradle adapted to receive and support the handle of a handset. i

Another object of the invention is to provide in a telephone unit comprising a casing including a body and a removable cover for the body and a supporting chassis for the station equipment of the unit which is constructed and arranged to provide a cradle adapted to receive and support the handle of a handset, an improved arrangement including the cover for positively positioning the handle of a handset on the cradle when the cover occupies a closed position with respect to the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a `telephone unit comprising a supporting chassis for the station equipment of the unit, which chassis includes an improved rigid superstructure dening a battery compartment adapted to receive a battery forming a part of the station equipment of the unit.

In generahthe objects as set forth above are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing, in a portable telephone unit of the character noted, a `casing including a body provided with an open top and a removable cover for the open top of the body, a handset adapted to be housed in the casing when the cover occupies a closed position with respect to the body, a chassis disposed in the body and provided with a rigid superstructure including a base plate and a top plate, means for detachably securing the base plate to the body, station equipment supported by the superstructure of the chassis, the top plate being disposed adjacent the open top of the body and including spaced-apart and upwardly directed walls having aligned notches therein constituting cradle seats adapted to receive and support the handle of the handset,

and means carried by the cover and adapted to engage the handle of the handset when the cover occupies a closed position with respect to the body and the handle of the handset is supported on the cradle seats for positively positioning the handle of the handset on the cradle seats.

More particularly, the rigid superstructure of the chassis is formed by anumber of structural members, including a base plate and a top plate arranged in spaced-apart relationship, and a pair of spaced-apart tubular supporting columns extending between the plates and secured in pairs of spaced-apart and aligned openings provided therein, the interiors of the tubular columns cons t i t u t in g battery compartments accessible through the aligned openings provided in the plates and adapted to receive batteries forming parts of the station equipment. Also the chassis carries a first common cover and battery terminal plate removably secured to the base plate over the pair of openings provided therein, and a second common cover and battery terminal plate removably secured to the top plate over the pair of openings provided therein. The station equipment comprises, in addition to the batteries mentioned, a hand generator provided with a rotatable operating shaft extending throughan opening provided in one end wall of the body, the hand generator being supported upon the base plate, and a rotatable operating handle carried by the operating shaft. Also a rst protective hood is carried by the one end of the body and surrounds the operating handle; and a protective generator shield is carried by the superstructure of the chassis and extends over the generator.

Further a ringer is carried by the other end of the body; and a second protective hood is carried by the other end of the body and surrounds the ringer.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular construction and arrangement of the telephone unit, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features are attained.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portabletelephone unit embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly broken away,

of the telephone unit shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view, partly broken away, of the chassis of the telephone unit; and Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the chassis shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a portable telephone unit embodying the features of the present invention and comprising a casing I including a body ||v and a cover I2, the cover I2 being pivotally mounted upon the upper rear wall of the body II by a longitudinally extending hinge I3. In order to facilitate movement of the casing III from place to place, a flexible carrying strap |4 formed of leather or the like is provided on the casing.k the opposite ends of the carrying strap I4 being secured to the opposite end walls of the body adjacent the upper vedges thereof by rivets I5. Also the cover I2 carries a depending flange |`6 which is adapted to overhang the upper wall of the body when the cover I2 occupies its closed position with respect to the body II, thereby to protectthe apparatus housedin the casing III against inclement weather.

Preferably, both the cover |2 and the body II of the casing I0 are formed of a strong durable material such as metal reinforced plywood or a.

fibrous product. Also the corners of the body I| and the cover |2 arespecially reinforced by a number of vmetallic caps I1 secured thereto. Further the casing ||l is provided with a latching arrangement including two interengaging elements I8 and I9 respectively secured to the body and the cover I2 and adapted to be latched` together when the cover |'2 occupies its closed position with respect to the body II. Finally, the front wall of the cover I2 is provided with an opening therein and a cooperating fixture 20 which is constructed and arranged to permit an insulated cord to be extended from the exterior into the casing I 0, while the cover I2 occupies its closed position with respect to the body II.

The casing I0 houses a chassis 2|, including a cradle 22, adapted to support a handset 23. The handsetl 23 comprises a handle 24, a receiver cup 25 carrying a receiver cell and an earpiece 26, and a transmitter cup 21 carrying a transmitter cell and mouthpiece 28. Also the handle 24 of the handset 23 houses a switch for controlling the encircuiting ofthe transmitter cell which is controlled by a rotatable operating button 29. The inner surface of the cover I2 has affixed thereto al block 30 which is adapted to respect to the cradle 22 carried by the chassis 2|. Preferably, the block 30 is formed of a compressible resilient material such as sponge rubber.. Finally, the inner surface of the cover I2 carries a card 3| upon which a circuit diagram for the telephone unit and other instructions for the use of the telephone unit appear.

As best` shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the `chassis 2| comprises an open lrigid superstructure formed by a substantially channelshaped base plate 32, a substantially dish-shaped top plate 33 forming the cradle 22, two cylindricalV tubular columns 34 and 35 and two posts 36 and 31, the tubular columns 34 and 35 being arranged in spaced-apart relationship adjacent one end of the chassis 2| and extending between the base plate 32 and the top plate 33; and the posts 36 and 31 being arranged in spaced-apart relationship adjacent the other end of the chassis 2| and extending between the base plate 32 and the top plate` 33. Preferably, the, opposite ends of the posts 36 and 31 are secured to the base plate 32 and to the top plate 33 by a number of screws 33; while the opposite ends of the tubular columns 34 and 35 are secured to the base plate 32 and to the top plate 33 by a numberof flanged connections 39. More particularly, the outer walls of the tubular columns 34 and 35, adjacent the opposite ends thereof, are turned down to provide tubular flanges on the opposite ends thereof, which tubular flanges project through cooperating pairs of spaced-apart openings respectively provided in the base plate 32 and in the top'plate 33.v the tubular flanges projecting through the cooperating pairs of openings provided in the lbase plate 32 and in the top plate 33 being peened or swaged over to provide the previously mentioned flanged connections 3S. Two supporting rails 40 are provided in the channel-shaped base plate 32, adjacent the opposite ends thereof and secured in place by a number of screws 4|, in order to facilitate positive placement of the chassis 2| within the body II of the casing I0. More particularly, the supporting rails 40 carried by the base plate 32 of the chassis 2| are directly secured to the bottom wall of the body I I by a number of screws 42, thereby to provide for positive positioning of the chassis 2| within the body II and ready removal of the chassis 2| from the body for `purposes of inspection and repair.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, each of the tubular columns 34 and 35 is adapted to receive and'contain two batteries 43 of the dry cell type. In order to accommodate the batteries 43 and to prevent corrosion of the tubular columns 34 and 35, a cylindrical tubular insulating liner 44 formed of a fibrous material is arranged within each of the tubular columns 34 and 35, the insulating liner 44 being disposed between the inner wall of the tubular column and the batteries 43 disposed therein. The lower ends of the tubular` columns 34 and 35 are at least partially closed by an insulated terminal plate 45 removably secured to the base plate 32 by a number of screws 46; while the upper ends of the tubular columns 34 and 35 are completely closed by a cover plate 41 removably secured to the top plate 33 by a thumb screw 43. Also it -is noted that the cover plate 41 carries two helical coil springs 49 which are adapted to engage the end walls of the batteries 43 disposed in the associated tubu-` lar columns 34 and 35, thereby positively to make electrical connections with the batteries 43 and positively to hold the batteries in position. Further it is noted that the top plate 33 carries a terminal 50 which is electrically connected by the thumb screw 48 to the cover plate 41; while the terminal plate 45 carries two 'terminal screws 5I electrically connected to the batteries 43.

A substantially L-shaped generator shield 52 extends between the posts 36 and 31 and is secured thereto by a number of screws 53, the generator shield 52 being provided with an out- Wardly extending portion 54 overhanglng one end of the base plate 32. Also an insulated main terminal block 55 is secured to the post 36 by a number of screws 56, the terminal block 55 being utilized to establish electrical connections between the various pieces of telephone apparatus housed in the casing I0, in a manner more fully explained hereinafter. In order to assenti t provide the cradle 22, the top plate-33 is so formed that it includes a pair of spaced-apart cradle walls 51 having centrally disposed and aligned notches 53 formed therein, the notches I formed in the i cradle walls 51 constituting cradle seats adapted to receive the handle 24 of the handset 23. l

In view of the above description of the construction and arrangement of the chassis 2|, it will be understood that the tubular columns 34 and. not only serve to support the cradle 22 and to lend rigidity to the superstructure of the chassis 2| but they also serve as casings for the opening 82 provided in the end wall of the body into the interior of the casing I6, the circuit leads ll being anchored in place by a clip 83 secured to the bottom wall of the body of the casing ||I. In order to protect the ringer 13 against accidental injury, a cylindrical tubular ringer hood 84 is carried by the end wall of the body of the casing |5 which `projects outwardly and surrounds the ringer 13.` Finally, itV

l line terminal posts 36 and 81 are insulated from batteries 43; while the top plate 33 not only retainsthe tubular columns 34 and 35 in position and lends rigidity to the superstructure of the chassis 2|, but it is also formed to provide a unitary cradle 22 for supporting the handle 24 of the handset 23 within the casing Ill.

The superstructure of thechassis 2| also supports an induction coil 53 and a condenser 60. More particularly, the induction coil 59 is secured to the top plate 33 by a number of screws 6| and is provided with a pair of terminals 62; while the condenser 661s secured to the base plate 32 in engagement with the tubular columns 34 and 35 by an arrangement comprising an angular bracket 63 and a number of screws 64 and is provided with a pair of terminals 65.

Finally, the superstructure of the chassis 2| supports ahand generator 66 of the magneto type. the hand generator 66 being secured to the base plate 32 by a number of screws 61. More parL ticularly, the hand generator 66 comprises a generator shaft 68, an operating shaft 69, a gear train 10 disposed between the generator shaft 63 and the operating shaft 69 and a terminal plate 1|. The operating shaft 69 is rotatable by an arrangement comprising a fixture 12 detachably secured thereto and a manually operable han-` die 13 carried bythe fixture 12. The generator terminal plate 1| isformed of insulating material and carries a pairof cooperating contacts 14 which are` actuated by the operating shaft 69; while the frame of the generator 66 is electrically insulated from the base plate 32 by a sheet of in-` sulated material '15. It is noted that the operating shaft 68 extends through an opening 16 provided in one end of the body of the casing l0, the fixture 12 being disposed partially within the opening 16. Preferably, the operating handle 13 is pivotally connected to the fixture 12 by a pivot pin 11 so that it may be pivoted into a non-operated and non-interfering position when the generator 66 is `not in use. Finally the end wall of the body portion of the casing I0 carries a cylindrical tubular generator hood 16 which projects outwardly in order to surround the fixture 12 and the operating handle 13 when the operating handle 13 occupies its non-operated position, thereby to protect the fixture 12 and the operating handle 13 against 'accidental injury. F'urther it is noted that the fixture 12 carried by the operating shaft 69 comprises a circular disk substantially overlapping the opening 16 provided 'in the end wall of the body of the casing l0, thereby to prevent the entrance of moisture through the opening 16 in the end wail of the body into the interior of the top plate 33 by two insulated sheets 88 positioned on the opposite sides thereof. Further it is noted that the line terminal posts 86 and 51 are disposed withinthe cavity provided in the dish-shaped topplate 33 and on opposite sides of the handle 24 of the handset 23 when the handset 23 is supported upon the cradle 22.

The circuit leads 3| extending to the ringer 19, the cord 35 extending to the handset 23, the terminals 62 of the induction coil 59, the terminals 65 of the condenser 60, the terminals 50 and 5| connected to the batteries 43, the generator terminal plate 1| and the two line terminal posts 66 and 31 are connected to the main terminal block and then interconnected to provide an operating circuit network for the various pieces of telephone equipment housed in the casing I0. The operating circuit network for the various pieces of telephone equipment may be connected and arranged in any suitable manner. However, it is preferable that this circuit network be connected andarranged in the manner disclosed in the copending application of Harold C. Pye, Serial No. 320,743, filed Feb. 26, 1940.

It will be understood that, during the operation of the telephone unit, a person thereat may be signaled over an associated telephoneline from a distant station by the operation of the ringer 19 and may signal a distant station over the associated telephone line by operating the hand generator 66. Also it will be understood that the person at the telephone unit may receive a message over the associated telephone line by way of the receiver of the handset 23 and may transmit a message over the associated telephone line by Way of the transmitter of the handset 23. At this point it is noted that the transmitter of the handset 23 may be encircuited with respect to the batteries 43 and the associated telephone line by operatingthe switch housed in the handle 24 of the handset 23 by means of the rotatable operating button 29, the telephone unit being of the local battery type.

In view of the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of the telephone unit, it will be understood that only the `ringer 1.9 is directly carried by the body I| of the casing |0, the remainder of the telephone equipment including the handset 23, the batteries 43, the inducl tion coil 55, the condenser and the hand generator 66 being directly carried by the chassis 2|. Further it is noted that, when the handle 24 of the handset 23 occupies its normal position with respect to the supporting cradle 22, the receiver and earpiece 26 thereof overhangs the hand generator 66, the outwardly extending portion 54 of the generator shield 52 serving to define within the casing l0 a hand generator compartment and an adjacent receiver compartment. Further, when the handle 24 of the handset 23 occupies its normal position with respect to the supporting cradle 22, the transmitter and mouthpiece 28 thereof are disposed in a transmitter compartment defined between the tubular columns 34 and 35 and the adjacent end wall of thebody of the casing I0. Also the chassis 2| and the telephone removing the screws 42. Further it is noted that,

when the cover l2 occupies its open position with respect to the body I, the handle 24 of the handset 23 may be readily removed and replaced with respect to the cradle 22 carried by the chassis 2|;

and` that, when the cover 2 occupies its closed position with respect tothe body the handle 24 of the handset 23 is positively retained in place with respect to the cradle 22 carried by the chassis 2| by the block 30. r Finally, it is noted that the casing Illmay be conveniently moved from place to place by the carrying strap 4; `while the handle 13 of the hand generator 66 and the ringer 'I9 are positively protected against accidental injury due to the provision of the respective hoods`18 and 84 carried by the opposite end walls of the body of the casing Il).

While there has been described what` is: `at present considered to Vbe the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: v

1. A portable telephone unit comprising a casing including a body provided with an open top and a removable cover for the open top of said body. a chassis disposed in said body and provided with a rigid superstructure including a base plate and a to'p plate, means for detachably securing said base plate to said body, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, said top plate being disposed adjacent the open top of said body and including spaced-apart and upwardly directed walls having aligned notches therein constituting cradle seats adapted to receive and support the handle of a handset housed in saidcasing when said cover occupies a closed position with respect to said body.

2. A portable telephone unit comprising a casing including abody provided with an open top and a removable'cover for the open top of said body, a chassis disposed in said body and provided with a rigid superstructure including a base plate and a top plate, station equipment supported by the superstructure of, said chassis, said station equipment including a hand generator provided withy a rotatable operating shaft extending through an opening provided in one end of said body, a rotatable operating handle carried by said operating shaft, a iirst protective hood carried by the one end of said body and surrounding said operating handle, aiprotective generator shield carried by the superstructure of said chassis and extending over said generator, a ringer carried by the other end of said body, and a second protective hood carried by the other end of saidV body and surrounding said ringer, said top plate being disposed adjacent the open top of said body and including spaced-apart and upwardly directed walls having aligned notches therein constituting cradle seats adapted to receive and support the handle of a handset housed in said casing when said cover occupies a closed position with respect to said body. y

3. A portable telephone unit comprising a cassaid handset when said cover occupies a closed position with respect to said body and the handle Y of said handsetis supported on said cradle for positively positioning the handleof said handset on said cradle. y

4. A telephone unit comprising achassis provided -with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a tubular member, and station equipment including a battery supported by the superstructure of said chassis, said battery being supported within said tubular member. i

5. A telephone unit comprising `a chassis provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a ,tubular member, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interior of said tubular member constituting a battery com.l partment adapted to receive a battery forming a part of said station equipment.

6. A telephone unit comprising a chassis provided with a rigid superstructure formed by `a. number of structural members including a tubular supporting column, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interior of` said tubular column constituting a battery compartment adapted to receive a bat-y tery forming a part of said station equipment.

'7. A telephone unit comprising a chassis provided with a `rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a pair of spaced-apart plates and a pair of spaced-apart tubular members extending between and secured to .said plates, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interiors of said tubular members constituting battery compartments adapted to receive batteries forming parts of said station equipment.

8. A telephone unit comprising Va chassis provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural membersincluding a base plate and a top plate arranged in spaced-apart relationship and a pair of spaced-apart tubular supporting columns extending between, and secured to said plates, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interiors of said tubular columns constituting battery compartments adapted to receive batteries forming parts of saidv station equipment.

v 9. A telephone unit comprising a chassis provided with ka rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a tubular member, station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interior of said tubular member constituting a battery compartment adapted to receive a battery`v forming a part of said station equipment, and a cradle carried by said chassis and adapted 4to receive and support the handle of ahandset.

10. A telephone unit comprising a chassis provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a top plate and a tubular supporting column secured to 'said top plate, and station equipment supported o! said `tubular column constituting a battery compartment adapted to receive a battery forming a part o! said station equipment, said top plate constituting a cradle adapted to receive and support the handle of a handset.

11. A portable telephone unit comprising a casing, a chassis housed in said casing and provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a base plate and a top plate arranged in spaced-apart relationship and a tubular supporting column extending between and secured to said plates, and station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interior oi said tubular column constituting a battery compartment adapted to receive a battery forming a part o! said station equipment, said top plate including spaced-apart and upwardly directed walls having aligned notches therein constituting cradle seats adapted to receive and support the handle oi a handset housed in said casing.

12. A portable telephone unit comprising a casing, a chassis housed in said casing and provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a base plate and a top plate arranged in spaced-apart relationship and a tubular supporting column extendingv between said plates and secured in aligned openings provided therein, station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis, the interior of said tubular column constituting a battery compartment accessible through the aligned opening provided in said top plate and adapted to receive a battery forming a part oi' said station equipment, and a cover and battery terminal plate removably secured to' said top plate over the opening provided therein, said top plate including spaced-apart and upwardly directed walls having l aligned notches therein constituting cradle seats adapted to receive and support the. handle of a handset housed in said casing.

13. A portable telephone unit comprising a casing, a chassis housed in said casing and provided with a rigid superstructure formed by a number of structural members including a base plate and a top plate arranged in spaced-apart relationship and a pair of spaced-apart tubular supporting columns extending between said plates and secured in pairs of spaced-apart and aligned openings provided therein, station equipment supported by the superstructure of said chassis. the interiors of said tubular columns constituting battery compartments accessible through the aligned openings provided in said plates and adapted to receive batteries forming parts oi said station equipment, a rst common cover and battery terminal plate removably secured to said base plate over the pair of openings provided therein, and a second 

